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WNPR News sports coverage brings you a mix of local and statewide news from our reporters as well as national and global news from around the world from NPR.

Hartford Yard Goats Prepare For Opening Day With A College Game

Frankie Graziano
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WNPR
Fans piled into Dunkin' Donuts Park on Tuesday evening for the first game in the stadium's history.

The Hartford Yard Goats weren’t playing, but Tuesday night’s collegiate match-up between the University of Hartford and Quinnipiac University was still important for the minor league team’s staff as they get ready for opening day on Thursday. This was a dress rehearsal.

"We had a great crowd tonight so we're excited that baseball is finally going to be played at Dunkin’ Donuts Park," said Tim Restall, the team's general manager. "It was a great first run so that we are ready on Thursday for the crowds to come in."

Jill Olinatz, from Ellington, came with her family because she couldn't get tickets for Thursday's matchup.

"We have three little ones with us today ranging from 2 to 6 and I would say that parking was easy and getting across the street felt safe," she said. "My husband keeps trying to convince me to let him buy season tickets. I don’t know if we will go that far, but we will definitely come back."

Tom Gerstenlauer, a minister at South Congregational Church in Springfield, is a season ticket holder who won't miss the opener, even though it's on Holy Thursday.

"We’re going to share communion. We’re going to worship and get ready to coast into Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday," he said. "But in between, I’m going to come down for a couple of games."

Credit Frankie Graziano / WNPR
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WNPR
The University of Hartford won the first-ever game at Dunkin' Donuts Park over Quinnipiac University Tuesday, 6-4.

An official in the ticket office said that there were 2,400 paid fans. But 8,000 people are expected for Thursday's sellout. As more fans show up, more issues could arise.

Tuesday night, it took almost an entire inning for the giant scoreboard to work right. And, at 10:00 pm, the power went off and stayed off for about 20 minutes because the timer hadn’t been changed. That, Restall said, is why they call it a soft opening.

Frankie Graziano is the host of The Wheelhouse, focusing on how local and national politics impact the people of Connecticut.

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